RP consul assists 2 Pinays detained in Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino women accused of being unwitting drug couriers are being assisted by Philippine Consulate officials in Hong Kong where the two are detained.

The names of the two – one from Baguio City and the other from Pozzorubio, Pangasinan – are being withheld at their request.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Consulate said the Filipinos were arrested by Hong Kong authorities on 26 and 30 March, respectively and are presently on remand at Tai Lam Center for Women in the New Territories.

A Consulate representative visited the two in prison last April 3 to offer assistance.

"The Consulate has also spoken to the husband of one of the suspects to update him about his wife’s case. Representatives of the Consulate will be present during the respective court appearances of the two Filipinos later this month to confer with their lawyers and monitor the judicial proceedings," read the statement.

Meanwhile, Consul General Alejandrino Vicente reiterated the warning of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for Filipinos not to allow themselves to be used as “drug couriers" by unscrupulous individuals posing as “friends" but are working for drug trafficking syndicates. - GMANews.TV

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